Key points
- Richie Richardson imposed the ICC sanction
- Team found five overs short in Harare Test
- Zimbabwe won by innings and 73 runs
ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan, under the captaincy of Hashmatullah Shahidi, have been fined 25% of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate during the one-off Test against Zimbabwe in Harare.
The sanction was handed down by Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees after Afghanistan were found to be five overs short of the required rate, even after allowances were considered.
According to Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, teams are fined five percent of their match fee for each over not completed within the designated time.
The charge was officially levelled by on-field umpires Adrian Holdstock and Nitin Menon, along with third umpire Forster Mutizwa and fourth umpire Percival Sizara.
Formal hearing
Shahidi admitted the offence and accepted the penalty, meaning no formal hearing was necessary.
The match saw Zimbabwe claim their first Test victory on home soil since 2013, defeating Afghanistan by an innings and 73 runs in a commanding all-round display.
Following the Test, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan are set to contest a three-match T20I series at the same venue, running from October 29 to November 2.
In T20 internationals, the two sides have faced each other 18 times, with Afghanistan dominating the rivalry — winning 16 matches — while Zimbabwe have triumphed only twice.
